Sports Reporter

Out of jail: John Ulugia's late try saved the Waratahs' blushes last weekend after they let slip an 18-0 half-time lead over the Chiefs. Photo: Getty Images

Waratahs coach Michael Cheika must utilise his bench against the Bulls earlier than he did in last week's upset win over the Chiefs if NSW are to maximise their odds of beating the South Africans at Pretoria for the first time in 11 years, believes former Wallabies back-rower Simon Poidevin.

Against the Chiefs at Allianz Stadium, winger Drew Mitchell was replaced by Peter Betham in the sixth minute due to a hamstring injury.

Then Cheika switched tighthead Sekope Kepu with Paddy Ryan at the 50th minute, followed by No.8 Wycliff Palu for Pat McCutcheon at the 62nd minute, hooker Tatafu Polota Nau for matchwinningtryscorer John Ulugia at the 72nd minute and second rower Sitaleki Timani for Mitchell Chapman at the 73rd minute. Halfback Matt Lucas and outside back Ben Volavola were not even called upon to play from the bench.

Poidevin, a former Waratah who played 59 Tests for Australia, says Cheika did not make the best use of his bench, as the Waratahs tired and went into a slump that ?allowed the Chiefs to fight back from 15-0 down at halftime to a 20-18 lead by the 72nd minute.

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Poidevin believes the Waratahs showed great heart to get back into the Chiefs half and set up Ulugia for a 76th-minute try to win the game 25-20.

But he warned that Cheika can ill-afford to delay using his bench players again on Sunday morning (Sydney time) when NSW play the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria – where the high altitude and a fast track can quickly sap visiting players.

However, Poidevin believes the Waratahs, who play the Kings in Port Elizabeth next week, can beat the Bulls in Pretoria for the first time since 2002.

"If they can pick up one win over there they will be putting pressure on potentially getting into the finals," Poidevin told Fairfax Media. "It's a big game.

"The Bulls cleaned up the Kings [34-0] last weekend. At the same time, it was a very good Chiefs team and the Waratahs played outstanding rugby, but they ran out of gas in the second half. Chieka should have had his reserves on a bit quicker because the Chiefs were coming back hard which was not unexpected, but then NSW turned around and believed [in] themselves ... to score that [last] try. Previous years, that mightn't have happened.

"Let's see if they can carry that mental attitude into South Africa. If they can, they definitely have the talent to challenge these big, big teams.

"But Cheika has a good bench. I would be utilising the guys earlier. Anyone who has run around the streets of Pretoria at altitude ... mate, it's tough."

However, while Poidevin believes the Waratahs have shown greater confidence in playing the ball-running game Cheika wants from them, he says they still need to commit for the full 80 minutes.

"When they go into the full capacity of playing the type of game that Michael has promoted from day one, they are a very dangerous side," Poidevin said. "But sometimes a little bit of self-doubt may creep in to executing that style. He who hesitates unfortunately suffers the consequences ...

"As soon as you get that high-tempo attacking game, sometimes other teams struggle with it. That's when you really have to go for the jugular.

"Loftus Versfeld is generally a fast ground. It's a good running ground and they just have to run that big Bulls pack around."

Meanwhile, Poidevin says the decision over whether George Smith will be recalled to the Wallabies for the British and Irish Lions tour should be a ‘‘no-brainer’’ for coach Robbie Deans.

‘‘In my view, in the modern era, he is the best No.7 we have ever seen,’’ he said of Smith, back playing for the Brumbies after his Japanese club approved an extension of his short-term deal that opens the path to a Wallabies return.

‘‘He still has everything he left the country with from a point of view of his toughness, skills, tenacity and playing ability.’’

110

The number of Test caps won by George Smith, which ranks him equal 10th on the all-time list of international players.

1 comment so far

"At the same time, it was a very good Chiefs team..". 'Not sure that the Chiefs coach agreed.